Weighted fluid-containing exerciser with transparent walls



Aug; 8, 1967 J. M. BOSKO ETAL 3,334,899

WEIGHTED FLUID- CONTAIN1NG EXERCISER WITH TRANSPARENT WALLS Filed June 29. 1964 2 SheetsQSheet 1 A/NVEN TORS JOHN-M. BOSKO.

JOHN'LAWRENCE'BOSKO JOSEPH B. L/NDECKER.

1967 J. M. BosKo ETAL. 3,334,899

WEIGHTED FLUID-CONTAINING EXERCISER WITH TRANSPARENT WALLS Filed June 29, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 2 /N l E/V TORS.

JOHN-M. BUS/(0.

JOHN'LAWRENCE BOSKO JOSEPH'B. L/NDECKER.

United States Patent 3,334,899 WEIGHTED FLUID-CONTAINING EXERCISER WITH TRANSPARENT WALLS John M. Bosko, 6691 Cleveland Road and Wall St., Ra-

venna, Ohio 44266; John Lawrence Bosko, Upland, Calif. (RA51824386, 4th E.S.B., USAADSSSC, Fort Bliss, Tex. 79916); and Joseph B. Lindecker, Skokie, Ill. (1193 Valetta Drive, Temperance, Mich. 48182) Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,835 3 Claims. (Cl. 27284) This invention relates to a device or equipment more particularly classified as hydro-space-balance resistive stretch exercisers.

This invention has for its principal object to provide a simply-constructed dumbbell type device of this character which may be quickly assembled and later changed from a dumbbell to a barbell and may be increased or decreased in weight as required.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an accessible, practical, safe, noiseless hydro spacebalance resistive stretch exerciser embodying one or more receptacles to be filled with water, sand, or other suitable material in the graduated measurable form as it may be desired by every individual or his physical trainer, or as it would be required on the doctors advice for the physical exercises to physical fitness, or for traction, stretching or immobilization to the injured patient requiring this type of weight lifting for all practical reasons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide measurable balance weight means in the more practical, attractive, clean, and more suitable pleasant form because a water-type-fill may be obtained from the water faucet by use of a rubber or plastic tube or by pouring from a water container to any graduated weight required with regulated temperature if desired for all good purposes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of this type wherein the receptacles are molded and/ or fabricated of pliable strong rubber or plastic materials, transparent or opaque, as desired, and of any color. Rubber, plastic or other suitable balls of a dumbbell, or barbell may be of any practical size and of any convenient shape which would become advisable for all practical reasons on the device of physicians or trainers. Some containers may require a gallon of water, so are made approximately 7.6 inches in internal diameter to provide 231 cubic inches whereby 8 pounds of water can be retained therein. For certain reasons the containers are reinforced to hold greater quantities of material, say gallons of water, if the occasion should arise.

A further object of this invention is to provide safer, cleaner balance weight stretch exercisers to be used. by anyone, indoors or outdoors, in the home or in the hospital, gymnasium, hotel and other places.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this type which is simple and can be economically manufactured.

A further object of the invention is to provide dumbbells, or barbells, or the like where the substantially ball type receptacles are made of heavy rubber type material and reinforced to increase the strength thereof for retainin g the filler therein.

A further object of this invention is to provide dumbbells, barbells, or Indian clubs made with containers with transparent walls and employing a minimum number of parts for sealing a liquid and a figure with respect to a wall thereof.

A further object is to provide dumbbells and barbells with containers formed of transparent material which produce the illusion of a snow storm by movement of insoluble particles in floating suspension in the fluid Within ice the transparent container, the containers'being of substantially spherical shape enclosing a figure visible through the walls thereof and wherein the container is adapted to be closed after being filled with fluid by a screw-threaded cap, and provided with a displaceable diaphragm allowing expansion and contraction under conditions of variable temperature or barometric pressures without formation of air bubbles.

Other and further objects of our invention reside in the structural arrangement of closure means after being filled with desired materials or fluids, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front and side view in elevation, with a portion broken away, of the hydro-space-balance resistive stretch exerciser arranged as a dumbbell;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the plug embodied with the spherical type container of the invention and embodying a threaded removable member to open and close the same for filling of the container;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the plug shown in FIG- URE 2 with a portion of a rubber container assembled therewith;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 2, and having a washer and a fragmentary portion of a container embodied therewith;

FIGURE 5 is a partial section-a1 view taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the invention arranged as a dumbbell, the globular container bodies being provided at one end of each with an opening and the adjacent portions thereof being formed with reinforcing ribs;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal elevational view of a barbell, parts in section and parts broken away, showing the ornamental object which is submerged therein along with the flexible diaphragms assembled therewith;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view showing on enlarged scale the details of the seal for the container with the diaphragms extending toward the bar;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but with the diaphragms in contracted position due to reduced pressure within the container; and

FIGURE 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 5 of the drawings, the device comprises two hollow spherical members, 10 and 11, each integrally formed with a form fitting hand bar 12 for use in calisthenic exercise and the like. Spherical member 11 shows the water line 13 therein, graduation marks 14 thereon, and is also provided with a biological monograph picture 15 of a fish thereon to resemble an aquarium. The spherical member 10 shows a physical monograph picture 16 printed thereon and the filler plug assembly embodied therewith. As seen by FIGURE 4, the plug asembly consists of a female member 17 having a top portion 18, a neck portion 19, and flange portion 20 clamped with a washer 21 and an annual fragmentary portion of the spherical member 11 therebetween. The neck portion 19 is provided with female threads 22 to receive the male plug 23 having a hollow screw portion 24, the plug 23 having a flanged head 25 and external threads 26; the female member 17 to receive the respective plug 23 of the male to seal the member 10. Fluid poured through the female member 17 will not only fill the container 10 but due to the female canal 28 in the handle bar 12 which leads from container 10 to container 11, the container 11 will become filled with fluid. The plug 23 is provided with lugs 29 within the hollow screw portion 24 whereby suitable wrenches with suitable jaws can be used to tighten the male plug 23 into the female member 17. The frictional engagement of the flanged male head 25 with the washer 27 and female top flange portion 18, prevents accidental loosening of the male plug 23 by any movement thereof. The purpose of the flange portion 19 of the female member 17 is to permit the male plug 23 to be inserted a sufficient amount to insure tight clamping engagement between the male threads and the female threads and preventing contact with the inner portions of the female member 17.

Referring to FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the device comprises two hollow spherical members 32 and 33, the member 32 having a socket portion 34 and said member 33 having a socket portion 35; a hollow cylindrical shaped handle 36 with male threads 37 on each end thereof being assembled with said members 32 and 33, said members suitably formed of rubber, with female threads 3 in their socket portions 34 and 35 to receive said male threads 37. Said members 32 and 33 comprise susbtantially globular body portions 39 and 40 integral with the sockets 34 and 35. Said globular body portions 39 and 40 being reinforced by internal ribs 41 and external ribs 42 which are integral therewith. As best seen in FIGURE 6, these ribs terminate approximately at the vertical equator of the spherical body portions 39 and 40. The inner ribs 41 extend in chord-like fashion within the globular bodies from approximately the equator to a position near the socket portions 34 and 35. The inner ribs 41 and the outer ribs 42 are located alternately and symmetrically around the bodies so that the reinforcing effect is distributed around the whole surface adjacent the sockets thereof. Members 32 and 33 are shown provided with a threaded male plug 44 assembled within threaded female bore 45, whereby liquid can be poured into body 33, through channel 46 in handle 36 and into body 32 when desired to fill or partially fill the same. Upon removal of the plug 44, the device can be emptied of the contents thereof and easily carried to any suitable storage cabinet or the like. Before insertion or withdrawal of the male plug, warm or cold liquids can be flooded into the hollow parts of the handle 36 and bodies 32 and 33 to clean or provide a desired temperature to the parts therof and suitable for grasping by the hands of the user. Owing to the stout ribs the bodies cannot turn inside out. If now a heavier dumbbell is required, the operator has only to detach the present bodies 32 and 33 and assemble larger bodies to the handle 36; or the same bodies 32 and 33 can be used but supplied with metal shot or other suitable material to increase the weight to the required extent. This one single set of the improved dumbbells is all that is necessary to supply all the various weights. It will be obvious that the same is true of barbells, as the latter structures can be easily produced by simplying providing a handle 36 of greater length. The improved device can also be readily transformed into an Indian club by removing the body 32 and assembling a common pipe cap to the male threads of the handle 36 formerly holding the removed body 32. The single remaining body 33 and handle 36 can be filled with liquid or any suitable substance according to the weight desired.

Referring to FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings, the improved device comprises two hollow spherical members 50 and 51 assembled with a single bar 52 by suitable means. The members 50 and 51 are formed of suitable non-breakable material to provide transparent globular bodies, or containers. An object, such as a fish 53, is supported within member 50 and an object, such as a strong man 54, is supported within body 51; and both are completely surrounded by fluid therein in which there is floatingly suspended insoluble particles with a closure applied to each container in such a manner that air bubbles or air pockets are eliminated. The containers 50 and 51 are provided with screw threaded neck portions with male threads 59 which terminate in a flat surface adapted to make a fluid-tight connection with a gasket member. The gasket member may be any water-proof material which has expansive or contractive properties. In order to facilitate the ex:

pansion and contraction of the diaphragm-like plastic closure member, the cap which seals the closure members in position with respect to the end of the neck of the spherical members may be open at its center to permit displacement of the diaphragm in accordance with changes in temperature and barometric conditions and prevent the enclosing of air in the fluid filled containers and thereby preventing development of undesirable air bubbles. The containers are assembled to a connector which is screw mounted upon the ends of the tubular bar 52. Reference character 60 designates the connector which is screwed at one end upon spherical member 50, and 61 designates the connector which is screwed at one end of the spherical member 51. Wood, porcelain, plastic or other material capable of being molded or otherwise fabricated may be suitable for connectors 60 and 61. The outer end of each connector is recessed at 62 and is provided with internal screw threads at 63. The central portions of each recess 62 is depressed or cut out as represented at 64 to provide a chamber for the displacement of the closure diaphragm 65 which extends transversely of the neck 66 of the containers 50 and 51. The closure diaphragm 65 is formed from fibrous composition material such as oiled stencil paper or the like and is in the shape of a disc which is supported on the annular ledge 68 extending around the central depressed portion 64 of the recess 62. The fibrous composition material disc 65 serves as a backing support for the sheet-like plastic composition material 69 which is directly seated against the flat surface of necks 66. The annular neck portions 66 of the containers 50 and 51 are provided with diametrically opposite recesses 71 and 72 therein adapted to receive the correspondingly shaped lugs 74 and 75 that project from diametrically opposite sides of the circular base 76 of the ornamental figures 53 and 54 which are enclosed by the containers 50 and 51. The figure 54 or base member 76 is apertured in any suitable position such as indicated at 78 to allow circulation of the fluid 79 enclosed by the containers for permitting access of the fluid directly against the sheetlike plastic composition member 69 for exerting expansive or contractive force thereagainst. The base member 76 is spaced from the interior wall of the neck 66 by a narrow annular gap indicated at 80 which also permits direct pressure application of the fluid 79 against the sheet-like plastic composition member 69. The fluid floatingly suspends the precipitate particles of insoluble material indicated at 81 for simulating whirling snow which may be induced upon raising, lowering, shaking, or agitating the containers 5t and 51. The bases 76 of the figures 53 and 54 have a hollow interior portion represented at 82 providing a displacement chamber interiorly of the figures for the movement of the sheet-like plastic composition material 69 and backing sheet 65 under conditions where contractive forces are exerted within the fluid filled containers. The connectors 60 and 61 with the central depressed portions 64 therein serve as a similar or complementary chamber in which the backing sheet 65 and the material 69 may be displaced under conditions of development of expansive forces within the chambers 50 and 51. Each connector 60 and 61 is provided with a central passage or aperture 83 leading to the internal channel 93 within handle 52. A pair of transverse bores 94 and 95 are arranged in the handle 52 adjacent the opposite threaded end portions thereof and communicating with said channel 93 so that atmospheric pressure is continuously exerted against the diaphragm-like backing member 65. It will be seen that the oppositely disposed chambers 64 and 84 provide ample space into which the diaphragm-like members 65 and 69 may move. FIGURES 8 and 9 show alternate displaced positions of the diaphragms under conditions of variation in temperature or barometric conditions. It is clearly seen that the connectors 60 and 61 are provided with a small bore 56 with internal female threads 58 to receive the male threads 57 on each end of the handle 96; and a large bore 62 with internal female threads 63 to receive the male threads 59 on the neck portions of the containers 50 and 51; said small bore 56 and large bore 62 being connected with each other through the intermediation of depressed portion 64 and the central passage 83. The connectors 60 and 61, when screwed into position with the containers, serve to anchor the figures 53 and 54 rigidly in correct horizontal position, the liquid and precipitate therein being free to circulate through the figures for inducing a whirling motion. The integral base portion 96 of the figures are shown as being frustoconical.

It is clearly understood that the containers 50 and 51 are filled with liquid by arranging the same with their neck portions directed upwardly and steadied by suitable means. The liquid is supplied from a pipe line and hose or the like where the containers are filled level with the upper extremities of the neck; the liquid should be approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. The ornamental figures 53 and 54 are introduced into the liquid filled containers after one-half teaspoonful of flaked material which is extremely light in weight and is insoluble in fluid has been mixed with the liquid in each container.

It is clearly observed that the containers 32, 33, 50 and 51 can be made of many suitable materials; rubber can be used where rubber is desired; semi-transparent plastic can be used where clear transparency is not desired; and

any clear, transparent, non-breakable containers can be used where desired.

The heat of the body of the user of this novel device will be communicated to the dumbbell or barbell as the period of use is extended. The raising of the device up and down plus the temperature changes thereto caused by increased hand temperatures will affect the circulation of the liquid in the containers. Liquids which change color due to temperature changes thereof will be to an advantage to notify the user of length of use of the device and he should stop and rest.

Short bars and long bars can be used to change from dumbbells to barbells and should oversize containers be needed, then hollow steel balls can be used, say holding 10 gallons of liquid in each container, which would give a weight of 160 lbs.

The type of plugs, the size of the plugs and material used in manufacture of the plugs may be of any desirable type and kind, as long as they fit tight within the female member and prevent leakage of the liquid in the containers. The plugs must be so assembled as not to cause injury to the user wherever used, on land or in the water.

The device shown by FIGURE 6 is suitable for many uses on land or in the water where health baths are being given. Resistive devices are most important and advised by orthopedic doctors.

The terms and expressions which have been herein employed are used as terms of description and not limitations and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described. It is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

Having thus described this invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A hydro-space-balance resistive stretch exerciser comprising two spherical transparent containers with transparent walls for fluid each having a fillable neck with exterior male threads thereon, two connectors each having horizontal recessed bores in opposite ends thereof, a horizontal channel between said bores forming a fluid passageway therebetween, said bores having female threads therein, a hollow perforated connecting-bar having male threaded ends for detachably engaging a bore of each connector, said neck of each container for detachably engaging the second bore of each connector, said necks of said containers provided with recesses therein, two figures each having a base portion with lugs assembled within said containers and with said lugs supported within said recesses in said necks, said figures projecting into said containers and noticeable through the transparent walls of said transparent containers, a body of fluid enclosed by each of said containers and surrounding said figures therein, a quantity of insoluble floatable particles in each said body of fluid and a disc shaped diaphragm extending transversely of the inlet of each of said necks and clamped in sealing engagement therewith by said connectors preventing fluid from entering said hollow connecting-bar.

2. The hydro-space-balance resistive stretch exerciser according to claim 1 wherein said recesses in said connectors engageable with the container neck portions are larger than the said recesses in engagement with the threaded end portions of said connecting-bar.

3. An exerciser of the class described comprising two spherical containers with transparent walls for fluid each having a fillable neck portion with exterior male threads thereon, each neck portion of said containers provided with recesses thereon, two connector bodies having horizontal recessed bores in opposite ends thereof, a horizontal channel between said bores forming a fluid passageway therebetween, said bores having female threads therein, one of said bores in each connector being larger than the other bore therein, a hollow connecting-bar with a transverse bore extending through the wall thereof and having threaded ends for detachably engaging the smaller bores of each connector, the larger bore of each connector being larger than the male threads of each container for detachably engaging the male threads of each of said container neck portions, two figures each having a base portion with lugs and perforated walls supported within said containers and with said lugs supported within said recesses in said necks, said figures projecting into containers and noticeable through the transparent walls of said containers, a body of fluid enclosed by each of said containers and surrounding said figures therein, a quantity of insoluble floatable particles in each said body of fluid, two disc shaped diaphragms with one extending transversely of the said neck portion of each container and clamped in sealing engagement therewith by said connectors preventing fluid from leaving said containers, said diaphragms being of expansible and contractible material, the base of each of said figures including a centrally disposed recess, the said large bore in each connector including a central recess therein aligned with the recess of said bases or the recess of said bores in of said diaphragms are free for displacement either into the recess of said bases or the recess of said bores in said connectors.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,612 1/1953 Abel 46-41 861,993 7/1907 Lane 285-466 1,019,584 3/1912 Balston 27384 1,239,520 9/1917 Reeves 27358.3 1,467,698 9/1923 Thomas 285-204 1,520,108 12/1924 Bishop et al. 27382 2,126,689 8/1938 Pouliot 4-255 2,445,358 7/1948 Maechtlen et a1. 285219 X 2,644,890 1/ 1953 Hollihan 272-84 FOREIGN PATENTS 28,047 12/ 1912 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HYDRO-SPACE-BALANCE RESISTVE STRETCH EXERCISER COMPRISING TWO SPHERICAL TRANSPARENT CONTAINERS WITH TRANSPARENT WALLS FOR FLUID EACH HAVING A FILLABLE NECK WITH THE EXTERIOR MALE THREADS THEREON, TWO CONNECTORS EACH HAVING HORIZONTAL RECESSED BORES IN OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, A HORIZONTAL CHANNEL BETWEEN SAID BORES FORMING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY THEREBETWEEN, SAID BORES HAVING FEMALE THREADS THEREIN, A HOLLOW PERFORATED CONNECTING-BAR HAVING MALE THREADED ENDS FOR DETACHABLY ENGAGING A BORE OF EACH CONNECTOR, SAID NECK OF EACH CONTAINER FOR DETACHABLY ENGAGING THE SECOND BORE OF EACH CONNECTOR, SAID NECKS OF SAID CONTAINERS PROVIDED WITH RECESSES THEREIN, TWO FIGURES EACH HAVING A BASE PORTION WITH LUGS ASSEMBLED WITHIN SAID CONTAINERS AND WITH SAID LUGS SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID RECESSES IN SAID NECKS, SAID FIGURES PROJECTING INTO SAID CONTAINERS AND NOTICEABLE THROUGH THE TRANSPARENT WALLS OF SAID TRANSPARENT CONTAINERS, A BODY OF FLUID ENCLOSED BY EACH OF SAID CONTAINERS AND SURROUNDING SAID FIGURES THEREIN, A QUANTITY OF INSOLUBLE FLOATABLE PARTICLES IN EACH SAID BODY OF FLUID AND A DISC SHAPED DIAPHRAGM EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE INLET OF EACH OF SAID NECKS AND CLAMPED IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH BY SAID CONNECTORS PREVENTING FLUID FROM ENTERING SAID HOLLOW CONNECTING-BAR. 